Germany Increases Deportations to Turkey and Iraq

Germany has markedly heightened the number of deportations to Turkey and Iraq over the past year, according to recent data released by the federal government. In 2024, a total of 1,087 individuals were forcibly returned to Turkey, a significant increase from 875 in 2023 and just 515 in 2022.

In addition to Turkey, the number of deportations to Iraq has also surged. Last year saw 699 people sent back to Iraq, more than doubling from 300 in the previous year. This rise in deportations is part of a broader trend, with German authorities executing a total of 20,084 deportations in 2024--a 22% increase compared to 2023.

Among these deportations, 5,827 were categorized as so-called Dublin transfers. This process involves moving an asylum seeker to another EU country that is responsible for their asylum application.

The main countries targeted for deportation from Germany were Georgia and North Macedonia, with Turkey ranking third, followed by Albania and Serbia.

Asylum applications in Germany are also noteworthy. Currently, the largest group of applicants comes from Syria, although the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has paused decisions on their cases due to the complex and volatile situation in Syria after the ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad.

In January 2025, the BAMF received 14,920 asylum applications, with 30.4% from Syrian nationals. Notably, deportations to Syria have not occurred since 2012.

Following violent incidents in cities like Mannheim and Solingen last summer, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser emphasized the government's intention to deport particularly violent offenders, stating that negotiations are underway with various countries to reinstate deportations to Syria and Afghanistan. In late August, 28 male offenders from Afghanistan were deported back to their home country, facilitated by the cooperation of the Gulf state of Qatar.

Clara Bünger from the Left Party has expressed serious concerns regarding the rising number of deportations to Turkey, citing the country's ongoing repression of political opposition and the imprisonment of many dissenters.